Tuesday, 21 May 2013

I mentioned when doing M for Martello Towers in this round of ABC Wednesday that my walks destination was Shingle Street and so here we are on the sweeping shingle beach. The day was both showery and windy as can be seen

from the flag. The line of cottages that look out over on the beach are called Shingle Street so the beach takes the same name. During World War Two the beach was mined against invasion and the inhabitants evacuated. Someone was rather careless with explosives and the pub blew up, never to be rebuilt. I hope its stock of beer was low. Today it is just a quiet hamlet with holiday cottages and a lifeguard station

which is at the end of the white cottages in the distance. My attention was on the sea kale

which grows here in profusion. The Victorians were also a lovers of sea kale but they dug it up and transplanted it into ornamental gardens and for a time it became rare on the coast. This beach is full of both mature and

young plants just starting out in life. Many parts of the plant can be eaten but perhaps not on this beach for it is an area of special scientific interest for both its flora and fauna in the shingle and salt-marshes nearby.

It is thought that coastal erosion may mean that this shingle spit may not be here in twenty years time.Who knows but until then it felt firm under my feet.

Tuesday, 14 May 2013

The unusually long winter this year resulted in the snowdrops staying around for many many weeks. This photo was taken on the 9th April and they are still in full bloom. Maybe that is why the red breasted robin is giving them a good look over as is rests on the rock.

Now what other red birds are there?

'Might Red' in the Fan Zone, Anfield

Oh yes , the "Mighty Red" Liver Bird. The mascot they have started to use in community work, here posing for pictures. Then once posed

having a chat, possibly about those tiny wings. I don't think this thing can fly.

The Kop, Anfield

Now that banner shows the mythical Liver Bird, symbol of Liverpool, resplendent in red, those wings would surely fly high.